Roger Straka waves from his Longhorn bull, followed by another, in the McLoud Blackberry Festival parade on July 8. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
The 2023 McLoud Blackberry Queen Natalie Duroy throws candy from atop a Jeep in the McLoud Blackberry Festival parade.
The Kickapoo Head Start float had a “Toy Story” theme in the McLoud Blackberry Festival parade.
The 2023 McLoud Blackberry Jr. Princess Angelica Star Pepiakitah rides in the Blackberry Festival parade.
Jim Craig drives his 1954 John Deere Model 60, which he named Ms. Daisy, in the parade. Behind Craig is Jimmy Higdon of Higdon Farms.
Hazel Reid, 19 months, of McLoud, runs through puddles in front of the stage during The McKedys performance at the McLoud Blackberry Festival.
Oklahoma Senator Shane Jett shakes hands with retired U.S. Air Force veteran Don Murphey of McLoud during the McLoud Blackberry Festival parade on July 8. Murphey was in the Air Force for 27 years.
The McKedys perform “Navajo Trail” at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8. Shown, from left, are bassist Terry Dobbs, Austin McKedy, Mackynsie McKedy and guest singer Sienna Rose. Not shown are drummer Rick McKee and steel guitarist Byron McKedy. Ross Clayton, Erin Michelle, Jake McGehee and The Wise Guys also performed at the two-day festival. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Fourth generation McLoud residents, Alexandra Ellis, 10, and Hadley McGuffin, 6, enjoy a "barrel" ride during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
A.E. Murray, of OKC, buys blackberry cobbler from the Barbells & BBQ booth at the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8, as a long line waits. Each food vendor was required to offer at least one blackberry item. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Oakley Adams, 3, of Moore, runs out of her sack at the end of the sack race for ages 0-4 years during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8. The Kiwanis Club also sponsored turtle races, balloon toss, money in the hay, and a duck pond for kids. This is their second year to do so. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Kiwanis Club volunteer Brad Mauldin releases turtles from under a metal tub for the turtle races, as their owners and parents watch during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8. They also had sack races, balloon toss, money in the hay and a duck pond for kids. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Kids watch in suspense as one turtle race comes to an end, and Kiwanis volunteer Brad Mauldin (with the metal tub) determines the winner during the McLoud Blackberry Festival on July 8. They also had sack races, balloon toss, money in the hay and a duck pond for kids. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The tens of thousands of people who attended McLoud’s Blackberry Festival enjoyed cooler weather, more blackberry food and craft items, and a longer parade this year.
The car show was also back after a three-year absence.
Held July 7-8 near McLoud Elementary School, the event claims to be the longest-running food-related festival in Oklahoma, having begun in the 1940s, acc...
To access content, please login.
